Breast Reconstruction Before and After

×This patient is a 50 year old woman who had a bilateral mastectomy by Dr. Darren Sachs 6 months ago for left breast cancer. She also had radiation to her left breast as part of her cancer treatment. 

Dr. Schneider performed a bilateral immediate direct-to-implant reconstruction. The implant was pre-pectoral (above the muscle). This helps retain the strength of the pec muscle - you need this muscle for push-ups or downward dogs! It also prevents a problem called "animation deformity" where the breast implant distorts when you use your pec muscle.

One of the reasons she was able to do that is that Dr. Sachs is a talented surgeon who preserves the right amount of tissue in the mastectomy flap to minimize complications and create a beautiful result. The breast surgeon and the plastic surgeon work together as a team. The team has to be experienced working together and expert in each of their fields to create the best possible outcome. 

Dr. Schneider also performed two unusual procedures at the same time. The patient had a breast lift (mastopexy) to reshape her breast around the implant, creating a lifted natural shape. She also is one of a small number of surgeons in the country who perform the "resensation" procedure. The patient had a nerve reconstruction of her breast at the same time as the mastectomy and reconstruction. The patient says her breasts feel warm and natural, not cold as she has heard from other people. She has feeling in her breasts and her nipples, which change with the cold just like before surgery.

The most important thing is that the patient loves her breasts the way they are!